Steamed-up mirrors are a real nuisance in the bathroom and can not only delay your morning routine but also test your patience. Fortunately, demisting bathroom mirrors are designed to solve this issue, so you can rely on a clear mirror to help you get ready for the day without compromise.
This type of mirror can be a real saviour for your bathroom. Take a look through our comprehensive guide to help you choose the best demisting mirror for your needs.
What is a demisting bathroom mirror?
Mirrors have become a bathroom essential, adding style and function all at the same time. In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at demisting bathroom mirrors, including what they are and highlighting some of our bestselling products.
Typically, a demisting bathroom mirror is one that has a built-in heating element to prevent condensation and steam from settling - which is what happens when a mirror appears foggy after a hot shower or bath. They can also be referred to as steam-free mirrors or anti-fog mirrors.
Demisting mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, including round, rectangle and oval designs, as well as black and gold finished frames.
How do they work?
Demisting bathroom mirrors are a modern solution to steamy mirrors and are generally fitted with a thin heat pad placed behind the mirror. When this function is turned on, the element gently heats up, warming the surface of the mirror and stopping steam and condensation from building up. This keeps the reflection clear, even if the room appears steamy from a hot shower or bath.
To activate the heat pad, there is usually a switch or touch sensor on the mirror frame. This will tell the heating element to start warming the mirror’s surface and prevent the fog from forming. In many cases, a demister pad is used in conjunction with LED lighting, so using the switch will activate both of these functions simultaneously.
Do they use electricity?
A demisting bathroom mirror uses a heating element which is an electrical component so it will need to be powered by a permanent live wire. For a mirror like this that is usually the lighting circuit for the bathroom.
If you do not have a good understanding of electrical components and circuits then we wouldn’t recommend installing a demisting bathroom mirror yourself. In fact, regulations in the UK do state that any electrical work in a bathroom should be carried out by a qualified electrician.
There is also another type of demisting mirror which works slightly differently. Anti-fog coated mirrors have a special coating applied to the surface that prevents fogging when exposed to moisture.
Generally, this type of mirror is less effective than a heated, steam-free mirror especially in extremely hot and humid conditions.
For the purposes of this blog, we’ll be referring to the heated type.
How much does it cost to use a demisting bathroom mirror?
The cost to power a demisting bathroom mirror depends on a number of factors. The size and power rating of the mirror will affect the cost, along with how often or long it is used for each day. Finally, the running cost can also be affected by how much electricity costs overall in your area.
Most demisting bathroom mirrors will use around 20-50 watts of energy, with 30 watts being the average. As of January 2025, the average unit cost of electricity is £0.25 per kWh, according to Uswitch.
Therefore, if you are using your demisting bathroom mirror for 30 minutes each day, the yearly total cost will be: £1.37.
We worked this out using the formula below:
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0.03KW (power consumption) x 0.5 hours (daily use) = 0.015KWh per day
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0.015KWh (daily use) x £0.25 (cost per kWh) = £0.00375 per day
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£0.00375 x 365 = £1.36875.
On average, running a demisting bathroom mirror in the UK could cost anywhere between £1.50 - £2 per year, depending on the usage and power rating. This is a very low cost compared to other household appliances, making it a cost-effective solution to keep your bathroom mirrors clear.
What are the other benefits of a demisting bathroom mirror?
Aside from being extremely cost-effective to run, there are lots of other benefits to owning one of these nifty mirrors! Not only are you ensuring a clear reflection even after a hot shower or bath, but a demisting bathroom mirror also helps to keep your space dry and mould-free by minimising condensation.
You’ll also spend less time cleaning your mirror overall, thanks to the heat pad eliminating steam from settling, so there’s no need to wipe it away, which can cause smear marks!
Finally, as the steam circulates your bathroom after a hot shower or bath, water droplets that land on your mirror with the demisting function turned on will evaporate almost immediately, leaving no marks behind.
Are there any negatives?
Not really! Owning a mirror with demisting functionality will improve your bathroom environment greatly. Just remember to turn on the demister pad before you take a shower to minimise the time it takes to clear. If you do forget, switching it on straight after your shower will still be effective, as the heat pad will warm gently but swiftly.
Do they offer any other features?
Need another reason to love these fabulous bathroom mirrors? The modern technology of this type of mirror means that they usually come packed with plenty of other features guaranteed to add wow factor to your bathroom.
Many demister pads are also illuminated mirrors featuring LED lights that provide a range of lighting modes from subtle to more powerful. This allows you to have a low light when you need to use the bathroom at night, for example, and a brighter light for applying makeup or shaving. Speaking of shaving, some demister mirrors also have shaving sockets and some even have Bluetooth functionality.
Learn more about the different types of bathroom mirror in our handy buying guide.
What styles are there to choose from?
Demisting bathroom mirrors are available in a range of sizes, styles and finishes, making them a perfect addition to any bathroom space. We offer typically shaped rectangular and round mirrors as well as unusual oval mirrors and more organic shapes. We also have a great range of large mirrors for a bigger impact.
How much does it cost to buy a demisting bathroom mirror?
You can expect to pay between £130 and £600 for a demisting bathroom mirror, which makes them very affordable as part of your bathroom renovation.
A budget-friendly option like this: Vellamo LED Illuminated Bathroom Mirror with Demister Pad & Shaver Socket - 600 x 800mm, has loads of functionality and a simple yet elegant design, will cost between £100 and £250.
A more mid-range model like the: Harbour Glow LED Mirror with Demister Pad & Infrared Touch Button - 700 x 500mm, which can be styled in either a portrait or landscape orientation, will cost around £250-£400.
Finally, a much more high-end design would like the: Harbour Status LED Illuminated Brushed Brass Framed Mirror with Demister Pad, Bluetooth & Colour Change LEDs - 600 x 1000mm, which features a stunning brushed brass frame, will cost between £400-£600.
Do have a browse of our full range of demisting bathroom mirrors as we have black and gold mirrors and mirrors of all shapes available in every price range.
Is a demisting mirror worth it?
As a low cost and effective bathroom mirror, owning one of these mirrors is definitely worth it! Check out our full range of bathroom mirrors or have a read through some of our other articles below which you might also like:
